skillsusa medical terminology

skillsusa

What is dyspnea?

Difficult or labored breathing.

What do ACE inhibitors do?

Blocks the action of the enzyme that causes blood vessels to contract, resulting in hypertension.

What is anoxia?

Absence of oxygen.

What is anemia?

A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume.

What is laryngospasm?

The sudden spasmodic closure of the larynx.

What is an aneurysm?

An excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall.

What is empyema?

Pus in the pleural cavity.

What is angina?

A condition of episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium.

What is asbestosis?

Asbestos particles accumulate in the lungs.

What is angioplasty?

Surgical repair or recanalization of a blood vessel.

What is an anticoagulant?

A drug that prevents clotting of the blood.

What is a nebulizer?

A drug delivery device used to administer medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs.

What is aplastic anemia?

Characterized by an absence of all formed blood elements caused by the failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow.

What is bronchorrhea?

Excessive discharge of mucus from the bronchi.

What is cystic fibrosis?

A genetic disorder that is present at birth and affects both the respiratory and digestive systems.

What is arrhythmia?

Abnormal heart rhythm.

What is hyperpnea?

Excessive breathing.

What is atherectomy?

Surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of an artery.

What is sinusitis?

Inflammation of the sinuses.

What is an atheroma?

Fatty deposit or plaque within the arterial wall.

What is hypercapnia?

Excessive carbon dioxide in the blood.

What is atherosclerosis?

Condition in which fatty deposits called plaque build up on the inner walls of the arteries.

What is pneumonectomy?

The surgical removal of all or part of a lung.

What is atrial fibrillation?

Occurs when the normal rhythmic contractions of the atria are replaced by rapid irregular twitching of the muscular heart wall.

What is cholangiography?

X-ray examination of the bile ducts with the use of a contrast medium.

What is an automatic external defibrillator (AED)?

Portable computerized defibrillator that analyzes the patient's heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock to stimulate a heart in cardiac arrest.

What do beta blockers do?

Decrease heart rate and dilate arteries by blocking beta receptors.

What is hepatomegaly?

Enlarged liver.

What is blood dyscrasia?

Bone marrow depression caused by drug effects on the rapidly multiplying cells of the bone marrow; lower-than-normal levels of blood components can be seen.

What is steatorrhea?

Fat in the feces.

What are esophageal varices?

Swollen, varicose veins at the lower end of the esophagus.

What is bradycardia?

Abnormally slow heartbeat.

What is gastroduodenostomy?

Surgical anastomosis between the upper portion of the stomach and the duodenum.

What is cardiac arrest?

Sudden, unexpected stoppage of heart action, often leading to sudden cardiac death.

What is dyspepsia?

Indigestion.

What is cardiac catheterization?

A diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into the heart.

What is dysphagia?

Difficulty swallowing.

What is cardiomyopathy?

The term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle.

What is emesis?

Vomiting.

What is carotid endarterectomy?

The surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery leading to the brain.

What is incontinence?

Inability to control excretion of feces or urine.

What is cholesterol?

A type of fat made by the body from saturated fat; a minor part of fat in foods.

What is chronic venous insufficiency?

A condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein blockage or leakage of venous valves.

What is colitis?

Inflammation of the colon (large intestine).

What is enteritis?

Inflammation of the small intestine.

What is coronary thrombosis?

Damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery.

What is gastritis?

Inflammation of the stomach.

What is defibrillation?

Brief discharges of electricity are applied across the chest to stop dysrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation).

What is cholecystectomy?

Surgical removal of the gallbladder.

What is a diuretic?

An agent that increases the excretion of urine.

What is choledocholithotomy?

Incision into the common bile duct to remove a stone.

What is an electrocardiogram?

Means the recording of the electricity of the heart; abbreviation EKG.

What is gingivectomy?

Surgical removal of gum tissue.

What is embolism?

Obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot of blood or foreign substance.

What is erythema?

Redness of the skin due to capillary dilation.

What is an embolus?

A clot that breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream.

What is endocarditis?

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.

What are hemorrhoids?

Varicose veins of the rectum or anus.

What are erythrocytes?

Another name for red blood cells.

What is ascites?

Abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

What is EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy)?

Endoscopic procedure that allows direct visualization of the upper GI tract.

What is hemoglobin?

An iron-containing protein in red blood cells that reversibly binds oxygen.

What is sigmoidoscopy?

Visual examination of the sigmoid colon.

What is hemolytic anemia?

Characterized by an inadequate number of circulating red blood cells due to premature destruction of red blood cells by the spleen.

What is cachexia?

Physical wasting away due to the loss of weight and muscle mass.

What is hemostasis?

The stopping of a flow of blood.

What is cirrhosis?

Chronic degenerative disease of the liver.

What is ischemic heart disease?

A group of cardiac disabilities resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart.

What is hepatitis?

Inflammation of the liver.

What is leukemia?

Cancer of white blood cells.

What is peristalsis?

Smooth muscle contractions of the GI tract that move the food mass.

What are leukocytes?

White blood cells.

What is leukopenia?

Deficiency of white blood cells.

What is nausea?

Unpleasant sensation in the stomach associated with a tendency to vomit.

What is a diverticulum?

A small pouch or sac in the intestine, usually in the sigmoid area.

What is megaloblastic anemia?

A blood disorder characterized by anemia in which the red blood cells are larger than normal.

What is a polyp?

A mushroom-like growth from the surface of a mucous membrane.

What is myelodysplastic syndrome?

A group of bone marrow disorders that are characterized by the insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the bone marrow.

What is a hernia?

Protrusion of any organ through the structure that normally contains it.

What is myocardial infarction?

The occlusion of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup (heart attack).

What is an antiemetic?

Drug that prevents or stops vomiting.

What is orthostatic hypotension?

A common adverse effect of anti-hypertensive medications.

What is the duodenum?

First part of the small intestine.

What is the pericardium?

Double-layered membrane surrounding the heart.

What is the ileum?

Third part of the small intestine.

What is pernicious anemia?

Lack of B12.

What is phlebitis?

Inflammation of the walls of a vein.

What is an electrolyte?

Mineral salt that carries an electrical charge when in solution.

What is pyelonephritis?

Kidney infection; inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis.

What is Raynaud's disease?

A peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress.

What is nephralgia?

Pain in the kidneys.

What is septicemia?

Growth of bacteria in the blood.

What is bacteriuria?

Bacteria in the urine.

What is sickle cell anemia?

A genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape.

What is pyuria?

Pus in the urine.

What is tachycardia?

Rapid heart rate.

What is hematuria?

Blood in the urine.

What is temporal arteritis?

A form of vasculitis that can cause headaches, visual impairment, jaw pain, and other symptoms.

What is glomerulonephritis?

Inflammation of the glomerular membrane in the nephrons, causing it to become leaky.

What is a thallium stress test?

Medicated stress test.